Police & Crime Plan

Retail crime consultation 2025

Retail crime consultation 2025

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has teamed up with Surrey Police’s Chief Constable to launch a consultation into retail crime in the county.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend and Chief Constable Tim De Meyer are now asking the business community to have their say.

It is recognised that retail crime has a significant impact, not only on retail workers and business owners, but also on entire communities.

The Force is determined to deal with offenders robustly and listen closely to the concerns of our business communities.

Retail crime will be embedded within Lisa’s new Police and Crime Plan, the blueprint for policing priorities in Surrey between 2025 and 2028.

Lisa said: “We are asking those directly affected by retail crime to have their say.

“We want to better understand the true scale of offending in Surrey.

“Tell us about how retail crime has impacted you, and your experiences of reporting to Surrey Police.” 

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer said: “Retail crime is far from a ‘victimless crime’.

“It leads to fear and loss across a whole network from business owners to employees and customers – who are all part of a community we are here to protect.”

To have your say in the survey, visit the link below.

There is opportunity within the survey to include more information about the impact retail crime has had on you, feedback or suggestions for the Force, or anything else you would like to tell us.  

The consultation will close at 9am on Monday, April 14 2025.

Have your say
An open letter to Surrey’s business community

Retail crime is not ‘low-value’ offending – it can be extremely distressing for both victims and witnesses.
 
As well as the economic, emotional and sometimes physical harm caused, this criminality can make those who live and work in Surrey feel less safe. 

Lisa Townsend
Retail crime in Surrey:
  • In the year ending June 2024, reports of retail theft rose by 53 per cent (ONS)  
  • But arrests for retail crime in Surrey are rising
  • In the past year, almost 1,300 arrests for shop thefts were made, up from 555 in the preceding 12 months
  • At the same time, the number of retail crimes detected by the Force has more than doubled, from 636 to 1,537
  • Neighbourhood crime is a key priority for Surrey Police

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